The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Book tracing the existence of Sarasvati river launched

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Book tracing the existence of Sarasvati river launched

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: A book titled `The Lost River – On the trail of the Sarasvati' authored by Michel Danino was launched at a function here on Friday. The book traces the existence of the mythical Sarasvati from the time of the Rig Veda, when it flowed in to the sea.

Mr. Danino, also the author of `The Invasion That Never Was', a study of the Aryan invasion theory, explained to the audience at the function in C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation that the river vanished at a point called `Vinashana' in the late Vedic period. In the Mahabaratha a portion of the Sarasvati is said to have disappeared beneath the sands.

The epic also says that the final battle between Bheema and Dhuryodana at Kurukshetra takes place on the bank of the river.

The author, who is convener, International Forum for India's Heritage, said the river could either have disappeared as a result of a massive earthquake or due to small continuous tectonic movements.

He said that part of the waters of the river Sutlej and of the river Yamuna used to join the Ghaggar, which corresponds to the Sarasvati, which was cut off at some point of time. This was one of the factors that contributed to the river's retreat. The Sarasvati river basin is also one of the heartlands of the Indus or Harappan civilisation.

A. K. Gupta, former Scientist, ISRO, released the book and Nanditha Krishna, honorary director of the Foundation, received the first copy. Kamini Mahadevan, Consultant Editor, Penguin Books India, spoke.

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